Obama endorses 81 Democrats ahead of midterms

Former President Barack Obama released a slew of candidate endorsements in races across the nation Wednesday and pledged his involvement in the fast-approaching midterm elections.

Obama's wide-ranging list delivered his imprimatur to 81 Democrats in 14 states running for the House and Senate, governor, and down-ballot state legislative races. Many of the congressional candidates are running in the most competitive battleground races.

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“I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates — leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent,” Obama said in a statement. “I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity that’s broadly shared, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law. But first, they need our votes — and I’m eager to make the case for why Democratic candidates deserve our votes this fall.”

The list announced Wednesday includes 10 endorsements in California — though it omits Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whom he endorsed in early May — and in the former president’s home state of Illinois. Notable endorsements include Illinois gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, the brother of former Obama Commerce Department Secretary Penny Pritzker, and former campaign staffer Buffy Wicks who is running for state assembly in California.

Obama plans to campaign in several states this fall and will announce a second round of endorsements before the November midterms, his office said.